Linebackers

HOT

Chances are, most if not all Middle Linebackers were
selected in your draft. After all, they are the tackling
machines of the team, and that is typically your most
consistent avenue to fantasy point production. Chances
are, again, that MLB Andra Davis, Cleveland Browns, is
still available, so I highly recommend you snag him before
someone else does. Not only will he amass tackles at
his position, but he’s got a pretty decent DL to
work with, and the offense just doesn’t look season-ready,
so the D should find itself on the field with regularity
the first half of the season. Davis tallied 8 solo tackles
in Sunday’s game with Indianapolis. Ian Gold,
Denver Broncos, had a fantastic preseason, showing high-intensity
and fabulous speed. In past seasons, however, Gold has
failed to break out, regulating himself to mediocrity.
If Week 1’s match up with the Bengals is any indication,
this may be Gold’s coming out party, as he landed
7 solo and 1 assisted tackles, as well as an INT for
a touchdown. Gold is another possible LB that may be
found on your free agency board. Moving from youngsters
to a veteran, Mike Barrow, NY Giants, had a phenomenal
game against the Rams on Sunday. The Giant D appears
to have returned to dominance, and Barrow, at MLB, should
be the beneficiary of plenty of tackles and big plays
this year. His 5 solo and 3 assisted tackles combined
with 2 sacks definitely make Barrow a Linebacker to watch
this season. Other LB’s of note in Week 1: Takeo
Spikes, Buffalo Bills; Warrick Holdman, Chicago Bears;
Chris Claiborne, Minnesota Vikings; Anthony Simmons,
Seattle Seahawks; Na’il Diggs, GB Packers; and
Ed Barton, Oakland Raiders.

NOT

While the Washington Redskins no longer have Stephen
Davis, and you can assume that Steve Spurrier will not
be running dive right, dive left, you would still expect
there to be better production potential for opposing
MLB’s. Not the case last Thursday night, as veteran
Marvin Jones, NY Jets, went a paltry 0 solo and 2 assisted
tackles. In Week 2, however, Jones and the Jets will
host division rival and ball-hog Ricky Williams, which
should offer Jones more tackling opportunities. Start
looking for a free agent replacement if he shows similar
results as this week. As often as Clinton Portis ran
the ball in Week 1, one would think that the opposing
MLB would rack up some serious tackles. It is hard to
explain away, however, the lack of production realized
by Kevin Hardy, Cincinnati Bengals. With only 1 solo
and 2 assisted tackles, it must be assumed that Hardy
has not quite adjusted to the move from OLB to MLB. If
you are a Hardy owner, you must hope that Marvin Lewis
can right the ship with his key off-season free agent
signee. Similarly, Mike Maslowski, Kansas City Chiefs,
produced amazingly low figures, considering he was facing
LaDanian Tomlinson and the Chargers on Sunday. Maslowski
was a pleasant surprise last season, assuming the MLB
helm from Marvcus Patton, but his 2 solo and 0 assist
outing this past week is far from inspiring. Both Hardy
and Maslowski face what appear to be teams – Oakland
and Steelers, respectively – with fewer straight-forward
tackling opportunities, so it will be interesting to
see if they improve.

Defensive Linemen

HOT

It appears as though Mike Rucker, Carolina Panthers,
has picked up where he left off last season. With second
year stud Julius Peppers occupying double teams on the
opposite side, Rucker struck early and often, netting
4 solo and 3 assisted tackles, and 3 sacks against the
Jacksonville Jaguars. Consider yourself set for the year
at DL if you have one of Carolina’s defensive ends
on your roster. Free agent signee Vonnie Holiday,
Kansas City, was brought in to bolster the defensive line. Having
battled injury in Green Bay last year, many believed
Holiday would add a formidable body to compliment the
other stars on KC’s D Line. Against the Chargers
in Week 1, however, it was Holiday who exploded for 5
solo tackles and 3 sacks. With Eric Hicks on the other
side, and a solid duo of tackles, Holiday could have
an incredible season with KC this year. A year ago as
a rookie, Charles Grant, New Orleans Saints, appeared
poised for a breakout year, showing great strength and
pursuit. It appears, however, that 2003 could be the
year Grant explodes onto the scene, as exemplified by
an outstanding first game. Against the Seahawks, Grant
posted 6 solo tackles and 2 sacks. While co-starring
defensive end Darren Howard appears to lost for several
weeks due to a dislocated wrist, expect Grant to pick
up the slack and wreak havoc on opposing QB’s this
year. Other defensive linemen of note in Week 1: Shaun
Ellis, New York Jets; Hugh Douglas, JAX Jaguars; and
Leonard Little, STL Rams.

NOT

Against a Houston Texan team that gave up the most sacks
in the NFL in 2002, and opposing less-than- “star” quality
Tackles, it is mind boggling that Jason Taylor, Miami
Dolphins, had no production whatsoever. While one must
give credit where credit is due – Houston refused
to give up 1 sack the entire game, Taylor begin blanked
is quite a feat. By no means give up on Taylor after
the first game, because he and the Miami defense will
be strong again this year. While I would never advocate
discarding a stud like Taylor after only one bad week,
I would keep an eye on him this week, as he faces a team
that gave up a combined one sack in Week 1, the New York
Jets. Another veteran with star quality that underperformed
last week was Grant Wistrom, St. Louis Rams. Wistrom
contributed fumble recovery against the Giants, but failed
to register a tackle or sack in the game. Wistrom is
a motivational leader on the defense, but he must get
his production in gear if the Rams have any hope of disrupting
opposing offenses this year. Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis
Colts, a breakout rookie star last year, had only 1 solo
tackle against the Cleveland Browns in a dogfight in
Week 1. Hopefully, a tight win and a huge Week 2 match
up with the Titans will propel Freeney to better production.

Defensive Backs

HOT

In his sophomore season, Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens,
has started his season with a bang, with 7 solo and 3
assisted tackles. Reed and the Raven defense will only
get better this season. Look for similar tackle production
mixed in with interceptions and sacks from Reed. It appears
as if the Indianapolis Colts have struck pay dirt with
rookie safety, Mike Doss. An integral part of last year’s
National Championship Ohio State Buckeye team, Doss was
selected early by the Colts to bolster a weak secondary.
If Doss can replicate his 8 solo tackle Week 1, he could
be a great addition to your roster if a DB is in demand.
Tank Williams, Tennessee Titans, appears to be the answer
the team has sought since the days of Blaine Bishop.
Williams, in his 3rd year, was flying around the field
against the Raiders Sunday night, as he realized 4 solo
and 3 assisted tackles. Other Defensive Backs of note:
Daylon McCutcheon, CLE Browns; Mike Minter, CAR Panthers;
Rodney Harrison, NE Patriots; Adam Archuleta, STL Rams;
Omar Stoutmire, NY Giants; Kwamie Lassiter, SD Chargers;
Mike Green, CHI Bears; and Lance Shulters, TEN Titans.

NOT

Corey Chavous, Minnesota Vikings, is a vocal leader
on the team, and in Week 1, he let his actions do the
talking. Against division rival Green Bay, Chavous was
everywhere on the field, realizing 5 solo and 2 assisted
tackles, as well as 2 interceptions. Unfortunately, however,
Chavous sustained what’s being described as a sprained
right knee. Right now, the Vikings are listing Chavous
as doubtful for this Sunday’s match up with the
Bears. Brian Russell would start in his place at SS.
During the preseason, FS Jon McGraw, New York Jets, showed
great range and ball-hawking skills. Against the Redskins
on Thursday night, he looked lost and ineffective. With
as many receptions as there were in the game, he should
have had decent tackle production, but McGraw could muster
only 1 solo tackle. If you drafted McGraw as your #1
or #2 DB, keep an eye on him as he faces the Dolphins
this week, and target a free agent replacement just in
case. Losing Darren Sharper, Green Bay Packers, for any
amount of time could be devastating for the team. Sharper
is by far the best defensive player and leads both vocally
and by example. He’s questionable this week against
the upstart Lions with a groin injury.